Fiber optic hydrogen sensor leak detection system for launch vehicle applications

Alex A. Kazemi; Kish Goswami; Edgar A. Mendoza; Lothar U. Kempen; Robert A. Lieberman

doi:10.1117/12.686513

10 October 2006 Fiber optic hydrogen sensor leak detection system for launch vehicle applications

Alex A. Kazemi, Kish Goswami, Edgar A. Mendoza, Lothar U. Kempen, Robert A. Lieberman

Proceedings Volume 6379, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environments; 63790D (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686513
Event: Optics East 2006, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract

This paper describes the successful test of a multi-point fiber optic hydrogen sensor system during the static firing of an Evolved Expandable Launch Vehicle (EELV)/Delta IV common booster core (CBC) rocket engine at NASA's Stennis Flight Center. The system consisted of microsensors (optrodes) using a hydrogen gas sensitive indicator incorporated onto an optically transparent porous substrate. The modular optoelectronics and multiplexing network system was designed and assembled utilizing a multi-channel opto-electronic sensor readout unit that monitored the hydrogen and temperature response of the individual optrodes in real-time and communicated this information via a serial communication port to a remote laptop computer. The sensor packaging for hydrogen consisted of two optrodes -- one doped with an indicator sensitive to hydrogen, and the other doped with an indicator sensitive to temperature. The multi-channel hydrogen sensor system is fully reversible. It has demonstrated a dynamic response to hydrogen gas in the range of 0% to 4% with 0.1% resolution and a response time of less than or equal to 15 seconds. The sensor package was attached to a custom fiber optic ribbon cable, which was then connected to a fiber optic trunk communications cable (standard telecommunications-grade fiber) that connected to the optoelectronics module. Each board in the expandable module included light sources, photo-detectors, and associated electronics required for detecting hydrogen and temperature. The presentation would discuss the sensor design and performance data under field deployment conditions.

Citation Download Citation

Alex A. Kazemi, Kish Goswami, Edgar A. Mendoza, Lothar U. Kempen, and Robert A. Lieberman "Fiber optic hydrogen sensor leak detection system for launch vehicle applications", Proc. SPIE 6379, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environments, 63790D (10 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686513

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available